40 fresh dengue cases in three days, count touches 448

The health department’s first email stated that the number of dengue cases in the city is 102. Later, an official from the health department called the HT correspondent to state that the earlier information was incorrect but the official did not confirm the total number of cases.
(HT File )

As many as 40 fresh dengue cases have been reported from the city in the last three days, taking the total count to 448, as on Friday.

The health department’s first email stated that the number of dengue cases in the city is 102. Later, an official from the health department called the HT correspondent to state that the earlier information was incorrect but the official did not confirm the total number of cases.

Later, the health department sent a message clarifying the count that, only 40 positive cases were confirmed.

This anomaly has raised doubts that the health department officials do not verify the facts before sending them to media.

District epidemiologist Dr Ramesh said, “The employee emailed wrong information to the media in a hurry but now we have sent messages correcting the figure to 40 confirmed cases of dengue.”

He said, “Last year, 900 cases of dengue were reported till October and this year the number is half. The number of cases will come down by mid November. The areas from where most of the cases are reported are Haibowal, Basti Jodhewal and Tajpur Road.”

With the cases of Chikungunya picking up in the district, 20 fresh cases were reported raising the total number of cases to 97. Some patients are prescribed the test by doctors while many are getting the tests done before visiting the doctor.